New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-04-17
THE WORKERS PARTY.

After the earthquake at Charleston, when
tho inhabitants of the stricken city werc able
to investigate their situation. they found that
comparatively few structures had actra lily
fallen. To superficial observers, most OF the
CITY stood as before, untouched by the mys-
terious destroying force and ready for the
home-life of happy families and the thrift
and enterprise of growing trade But closer
examination disclosed that large proportion
Of the buildings had been so shaken and un-
settled that, though still standing. they were
liable to fall at any moment. and could not be
occupied without constant peril. After the
shock of recent elections in Northern cities,
Democrats are making similar unpleasant
discovery. Most Of their houses stand. In q
few cities the Democratic structures have como
down with crash in utter ruin. but the party
retains an apparent superiority in most OF its
strongholds. Moro careful scrutiny, however.
discloses that it's walls and it's very foundations
have been so racked and shaken, in almost
every Northern city, that it is liable to collapse
without an hours notice. to the destruction OF
any who trust in its stability.
Naturally, Democratic philosophers assume
that both parties are alike shaken by the upris-
ing of a labor force. Says "The World" in
explana ton "The old parties are either linger.
ing in the graveyard of dead issues, or standing
divided and impotcnt in the presence OF living
questions" But this is sad mistake. More
prompt than other journals to see the Dem
ocratic peril aTho World fails to realize
that the revolt of Democratic workingmen by
the thousands is essentially movement toward
the Republican camp. 1t is a protest against
the long-continucd refusal of the Democratic
party TO arc for the interests Of American
labor, and is therefore the first step toward
recognition Of the fact that the Republican
party has for thirty years been the party oil
free labor, formed and governed by working
men, inspired by desire to better their con-
dition and f,ithful through victory or defeat
in protecting their interests.
The issues that are dead have been settled
by Republican victories in the cause OF free
labor. Slavery made all labor cheaper and
less honorable, and Democrats tried to destroy
The Union in their struggle to keep slavery
alive. That party was not permitted to con-
serve human bondage, nor to break down the
union of States and these issues are dead only
because workngmen have given tho Rcpub-
can party repeated victories. Free home
stcadS nave done moro 10 elevate A'Ni'Cdh
labor. to make it independent and truly free,
nd to enlarge its rewards. than all the Unions
or Assemblies ever formed. But that is q dead
issue only because the Republican party beat
down Democratic opposition. and mado the
homestead policy the Nations law during
twcnty-six years Of industrial development.
The Protective tariff has compensated the mar
vcllous increase of farms by securing still
greater growth of ma nufacturing and mining.
thus creating home market for farm prod
ucts. But the Democratic party "stands di-
vidcd and impotcnt in the presence of that
living question:" only beca use it has been so
often and so severely beaten. in it's efforts to
break down the tariff. that one-fifth OF the
Democra Is refuse to 60 any further in that
suicidal cndeavor.
The workingmcn who once set their feet
on the Democa tic party because Of its incom-
pctence its disloyalty, and its persistent nc
fusal to serve their interests, will not be long
in discovering that there is party which has
fought the battle of free labor for thirty years
with gran nd results. On every issue, living or
dead. which affects the welfare Of labor that
party has been and is the embodiment OF the
best thinking and tho most noble aspira tons
of American workingmcn themselves.